Four Golden Baseball League Players Named to All-Indy Team
Published on October 17, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(Pleasanton, CA. October 17, 2006) The Golden Baseball League is pleased to announce that four GBL players were named today to Baseball America's 2006 All-Independent Leagues Team. Reno Silver Sox Marcus Jensen was named 1st Team catcher, Fullerton Flyer Peanut Williams was named 1st Team designated hitter, Chico Outlaw Craig Kuzmic was named 2nd Team catcher, and Long Beach Armada Andre Simpson was named 2nd Team starting pitcher.
Even though the GBL had the fewest number of teams (6) and shortest schedule (80 games) in independent baseball in 2006, the league's four selections trailed only the Atlantic League's six players and the American Association's five selections while tying the long-established Northern League's four picks. The remaining three independent leagues - the Canadian-American League, Frontier League, and United League all had fewer selections. In it's 2005 inaugural season the GBL had two selections - 1st Team first baseman Desi Wilson of the Surprise Fighting Falcons, and 2nd Team starting pitcher Adam Johnson of the San Diego Surf Dawgs (acquired by Oakland late in the year).
Williams had an outstanding campaign for the Fullerton Flyers, winning the GBL's Home Run and RBI titles while batting for a .308 average. He was the power behind the Flyer's second half surge into the GBL Championship Series and was selected as the 2006 GBL MVP.
Jensen was the dominant offensive force for the GBL Champion Reno Silver Sox. The veteran catcher, with stints on seven major league rosters and the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in his career, not only led his team offensively but also garnered a GBL Golden Glove Award as the top defensive catcher in the league with a 1.000 fielding average. He led the league in on-base percentage and slugging average while his .340 batting average and 14 home runs were both second in the league.
Kuzmic played both catcher and 3rd base for the Chico Outlaws and was also the offensive leader of his team. He hit .319 while leading the GBL in runs and finishing second behind Jensen in on-base percentage and slugging average. His numbers would have been even better, except that his performance was recognized by the Toronto Blue Jays with a week to go in the season. They purchased his contract and sent him to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Simpson was one of the most dominant power pitchers in all of Independent baseball last season. His 3.28 E.R.A and .226 opponents batting average were both very impressive stats, but his most outstanding accomplishments were his 140 strikeouts and only 44 walks in 123 innings pitched. His strikeouts per nine innings ratio of 10.24 was easily the best in all of independent baseball for starting pitchers with over 100 innings pitched.
"It's great to see the recognition of these fine players by such an impressive organization as Baseball America," said Golden Baseball League Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "To land four players on the All-Indy Team in only our second season is quite an accomplishment by our team managers. It is a good indication of the high level of baseball and attractiveness of our league to many of the best independent players in the country."
Golden Baseball League Stories from October 17, 2006
- Kuzmic receives national recognition - Chico Outlaws
- Baseball America Names Mike McTamney as Top Prospect - Reno Silver Sox
- Four Golden Baseball League Players Named to All-Indy Team - GBL
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